But asked here Friday what his non-political dream job would be, the Democratic presidential candidate told MSNBC's Rachel Maddow during the First in the South Presidential Candidates Forum that he would like to be "president of CNN."

After laughs -- both inside the room and in the media filing center -- Sanders added, "If I was president of CNN, trust me, the way media deals with politics would radically change."

Sanders' campaign jumped on the unique moment, tweeting that yes, in fact, the candidate's dream job would be president of the media outlet.

"The American people, I think, increasingly understand that corporate media is prepared to discuss everything 24 hours a day, seven days a week except the most important issues facing the American people," Sanders said Monday during a town hall in Conway. "Increasingly what media sees campaigns being are soap operas and football games, rather than a serious discussion about the serious issues facing America."

Sanders, however, has said that his lines against corporate media do not mean that he feels he is being covered unfairly.

"I don't have a problem with the way I am covered," Sanders said in August.

Jeff Weaver, Sanders' campaign manager, said Friday's line was "totally spontaneous" and a reflection of his view of corporate media.

He also said this reporter would stay hired on a "trial basis."

Later Friday, Jeff Zucker, the current president of CNN, responded to Sanders.